Near the opening of his state of the union speech, and sprinkled throughout it, US President Barack Obama bragged about the increased production of fossil fuels in the United States. In doing so, he labeled himself and the force he represents – Corporate America – as being guilty of crimes against the planet and of posing the greatest threat to future generations that the world has ever known.

There was, of course, more to it than that. After all, the mainstream of Corporate America (the US capitalist class) put a Democrat in the White House in 2008, and then again in 2012, for a purpose. The main purpose was to oppose the more ideological and less compromising sector of their class, but in such a way as to ensure that that sector’s credibility and influence is not destroyed. One important aspect of this is to co-opt and deflect the frustrations, insecurity and anger of US workers. Another, equally important aspect, is to advance the strategic goals of US capitalism globally in such a way as to be minimally disruptive both domestically and globally. This means the use of “diplomacy” – meaning blackmail – before using outright force. (Of course blackmail is not possible if the threat of force is not credible.) Finally, he must try to reinforce a base of support for the main strategic goals of US capitalism as for the system as a whole. Within this broader context, the president must try to reinforce the ability of his or her particular gang of swindlers, liars and thieves (meaning the Democrats or Republicans) to get elected or reelected so that they can continue to loot the government treasuries and obtain bribes from corporations.

Read more:Obama’s State of the Union Speech